NIGERIA GOVT. TO BUILD 2.5MW SOLAR POWER PLANT IN NDA

Amidst heightened security challenges in the country, the  Minister of Power, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu has said that the federal government is set to build a 2.5 megawatts hybrid solar power plant in the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA), Kaduna to enhance security at the academy.

Aliyu, who was represented by the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, stated this at the 40th National Solar Energy Forum (NACEF 2022), in Kaduna.

The two days event which held between August 29 and 30 was organised by the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and National Energy Commission (NEC).

The minister, alongside the Commandant of NDA, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf, the Managing Director of REA, Engineer Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, two Executive Directors of REA, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, Engineer Barka Sajou, amongst others, were conferred with honorary fellowship of SESN award at the event.

Aliyu, while lauding the organisers of the event said that the theme:  “The Role Of Green Energy Technologies in National Security, Power Generation and Economic Sustainability”, was timely and necessary.

While noting that reliable and sustainable energy was key in the fight against insecurity in the country, the minister maintained that “meetings of this nature, with extensive and robust discussions, will always bring out desirable outcome that can move solar energy penetration in Nigeria forward”.

“Countries all over the world are variously exploring avenues of fulfilling their specific commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with the Paris Agreement On Climate Change and COP26 Agreement in Glasgow. Nigeria is not left out”he said.

He intimated that to achieve Nigeria’s commitment to COP26, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is implementing different initiatives targeted at achieving at least, 30,000MW generation by 2030 with 30 per cent from renewable energy sources.

“The Buhari administration is fully committed to the global decarbonisation drive. To demonstrate this commitment, government has opened discussions with some Independent Power Plants  (IPP) solar project developers planning to deploy solar mini-grids across the country.

“Ten state governments are enabling solar projects in their states that will deliver 100MW each, contributing 1000MW to the Off-grid structure”, he said.

In a statement, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe who also spoke at the forum,  said she was excited about the programme as she believes the outcome and suggestions will further enhance government’s efforts to rid the country of insurgency.

Earlier, Commandant of the Academy, Major General Yusuf in his welcome address said that the institution was delighted over the theme of the forum because it addresses the contemporary security challenges facing the country.

“There’s still much to do to achieve improved access to green energy sources. As an institution, we’ve devoted a lot of resources to improve knowledge on the issue and track global development on renewable energy sources because energy is a critical component of national security” Yusuf, said.

Managing Director of REA, Engineer  Ahmad while delivering the keynote address averred that, in the last few years, there has been significant improvement in the nation’s renewable energy space because of different initiatives of the government.

“Federal Government’s deliberately driving policies that are targeted at drawing in private sector participation, encouraging investments within the space and, ultimately, scaling up socio-economic impact of off-grid electrification, nationwide. This is in line with the social and economic policies and plans of the Federal Government” Ahmad noted.

 

SOURCE: The Sun

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